Lima, Peru
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When you have been travelling through less developed countries for a while and you arrive in a city which not only has proper glass fronted shops, department stores even, and fast food chains, one can get a little giddy! This is the state we found ourselves in upon arrival in Lima. We had arranged to meet up with Anna and Aleks the couple we met in Huacachina and together we hit the town. A few beers/glasses of Peruvian wine and a massive amount of very good mexican food later we thought it would be a good idea to try our hand at some karaokee! We picked a small place, less people to embarrass ourselves in front of, and chose our songs. It was a great fun, for us at least, many others seemed to leave! And I shall never forget how Mik totally immersed himself into a great rendition of the Beatles, I Saw Her Standing There.
Lima was the first place we had hit at sealevel for more than 6 weeks and it was great to see some coast again, and the Pacific Ocean. The nicest part of Lima, Miraflores - where we were staying, has beaches but the scum floating on the sea didn't make them very appealing. We did however treat ourselves to a drink in one of the posh cafes over looking the beach to watch the sunset.
The next few days passed in a daze of fast food, shopping centres and bowling alleys and we loved every minute of it! I even got to make my first clothing purchase since we came to South America - just what I need, more clothes!! That'll be both expansion zips on my rucksack now open then!!
Although tempted to hit the beaches of northern Peru we eventually decided to head straight to Guayaquil in Ecuador, the jumping off point for the Galapagos. We were both very excited about getting there, unfortunately it was going to mean a 25 hour bus journey!! And the buses in Peru aren't quite up to Argentinia standards!
The journey didn't start well as we had a 2 1/2 hour delay sat in the swealtering bus terminal. Bus wasn't the newest but it was OK however, dinner wasn't served til 11.30 because of the delay (they collect it enroute), the films were the worst ever (so I guess the fact they were in spanish was actually a blessing), the aircon didn't work, and there was a group of kids (OK so they were probably 22!) who wouldn't shut up, even at 3am!! Still, after a few hours sleep we only had another 10 hours to go!! Actually make that 12 - we were late arriving too!! And for our $55 only got an inedible sandwich and half a glass of coke the whole day. Won't be using them again. Ah no we won't we've left Peru and moved on to Ecuador, land of the Panama Hat. Go figure.
Lima was the first place we had hit at sealevel for more than 6 weeks and it was great to see some coast again, and the Pacific Ocean. The nicest part of Lima, Miraflores - where we were staying, has beaches but the scum floating on the sea didn't make them very appealing. We did however treat ourselves to a drink in one of the posh cafes over looking the beach to watch the sunset.
The next few days passed in a daze of fast food, shopping centres and bowling alleys and we loved every minute of it! I even got to make my first clothing purchase since we came to South America - just what I need, more clothes!! That'll be both expansion zips on my rucksack now open then!!
Although tempted to hit the beaches of northern Peru we eventually decided to head straight to Guayaquil in Ecuador, the jumping off point for the Galapagos. We were both very excited about getting there, unfortunately it was going to mean a 25 hour bus journey!! And the buses in Peru aren't quite up to Argentinia standards!
The journey didn't start well as we had a 2 1/2 hour delay sat in the swealtering bus terminal. Bus wasn't the newest but it was OK however, dinner wasn't served til 11.30 because of the delay (they collect it enroute), the films were the worst ever (so I guess the fact they were in spanish was actually a blessing), the aircon didn't work, and there was a group of kids (OK so they were probably 22!) who wouldn't shut up, even at 3am!! Still, after a few hours sleep we only had another 10 hours to go!! Actually make that 12 - we were late arriving too!! And for our $55 only got an inedible sandwich and half a glass of coke the whole day. Won't be using them again. Ah no we won't we've left Peru and moved on to Ecuador, land of the Panama Hat. Go figure.
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Cara
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